Published:
April 11, 2008
Bomb
causes alert for Burnham-On-Sea emergency services
 A
700kg German World War II bomb caused a major alert in Burnham-On-Sea
on Thursday evening (April 10th).
A
Royal Navy bomb disposal team from Plymouth was called to the
town after a suspicious object, later confirmed as a wartime bomb,
was found by a fisherman in the mud on the southern end of Stert
Island. See
photo of the bomb here.
Coastguards
called out both The Spirit Of Lelaina and Light Of Elizabeth hovercrafts
at 4.30pm and these were then used to take members of the Navy
Explosives team out to the scene. "The bomb is partially
covered in mud and can only accessed at low tide so using the
hovercrafts is essential," said Burnham Coastguard Station
Officer Steve Bird, pictured above with members of the bomb disposal
team.
Work
will continue during Friday (April 11th) to make safe the object.
 A
one mile exclusion zone has been put into place around Stert Island
to prevent boats putting themselves in any danger. An RNLI lifeboat
was also called out to assist with the investigation, working
alongside the hovercrafts from a distance.
Petty
Officer Diver Keith Satchwell of the Royal Navy bomb disposal
team told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I can confirm that a 10ft,
26 inch diamater bomb weighing 700kg has been found by a fisherman
on Stert Island. Some four and a half foot of the bomb is exposed
at low tide."
 The
Royal Navy bomb disposal team confirmed that they are planning
to safely detonate the bomb later on Friday.
Warrant
Officer Robin Rickard, pictured right, told Burnham-On-Sea.com:
"We will wait for the second low tide of the day on Friday
afternoon to detonate it, sometime between 4pm and 5.30pm."
The
UK Hydrographic Office also released an official Notice to Mariners
on Thursday evening, stating: "Please be advised the obstruction
is now confirmed as being in position 51 13.7 North 003 03.5 West.
All vessels should keep well clear and avoid the whole area of
the Stert Flats."
RELATED
LINKS:
Burnham-On-Sea Coastguard Web site
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